​WHAT:  Nebraska business leaders were inducted into the Nebraska Business Hall of Fame at a recognition banquet on February 2. The Nebraska Business Hall of Fame was established in 1992 by the NE Chamber and UNL College of Business. Nominations are solicited annually from the business community, business associations and academia.
 
HONOREES:       
Mildred “Millie” Brown, Omaha Star (posthumous)
Jim Clifton & Jane Miller, Gallup of Omaha
Ralph & Beverly Holzfaster Family, Agribusiness / Community Development of Paxton
Anthony “Tony” Messineo, Jr., Valentino’s of Lincoln
Wilfred “Dick” Tegtmeier, Encore Mfg. Co. of Beatrice (posthumous)

Biographies
 
VIDEO LINKS:    Videos provided below feature the video presentation at the banquet, as well as footage of the award presentation and acceptance remarks. Please contact Holley Salmi if a different format is needed.
 
Brown: https://youtu.be/CsJFhTZJgUM 
Clifton & Miller: https://youtu.be/sfm1cFCW1Ew
Holzfasters: https://youtu.be/jPUjg9LHuWs
Messineo: https://youtu.be/OzM4DnqASUo&t   
Tegtmeier: https://youtu.be/bmzVVsRFoEo
 
The NE Chamber is the largest, statewide business association, proudly serving its members since 1912. It is where members of the business community gather to help make Nebraska the best place to own, operate and grow a business. Focused on delivering economic and workforce growth and a competitive business climate, members also gain a network of experienced, connected business leaders across the state. Learn more at nechamber.com.

NE Chamber leaders welcomed a new chair and 17 new members to its Board of Directors at its annual meeting last week. Ryan Parker, President & CEO of Endicott Clay Products Co. of Fairbury will serve as chair for the 2023 term.
 
“I’m excited to get going this year and help find new ways to accelerate our state,” Parker said. “Workforce, tax modernization and statewide innovation are front and center for our members. We are focused on addressing these challenges and unleashing economic growth.”
 
The following individuals began their terms on the board this year.
 

• Kyle Arganbright, Executive Vice President and Co-Founder, Sandhills State Bank, Valentine, serving as District Representative
• Dawson Brunswick, President, Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce, Columbus, serving as NE Chambers Association President
• Courtney Dentlinger, Vice President of Customer Services and External Affairs & Chief Customer Officer, Nebraska Public Power District, Columbus, District Representative
• Jisella Dolan, Chief Global Advocacy Officer/Chief Strategy Officer, Home Instead Senior Care, Omaha, serving as District Representative
• Russ Gronewold, CEO, Bryan Health, Lincoln, serving as District Representative
• Mark Hesser, President, Pinnacle Bank, Elkhorn, serving as District Representative
• Jessica Kolterman, Director of Administration, Lincoln Premium Poultry, Seward, serving as District Representative
• Bruce Kreutzer, Operations Manager, Parker Filtration Group, Engine Mobile Aftermarket Division, Kearney, serving as District Representative
• James Nygren, Legislative Affairs Officer, Farm Credit Services of America, Omaha, serving as Agribusiness Council Chair
• Sarah Pillen, Co-CEO, Pillen Family Farms and DNA Genetics, Columbus, serving as District Representative
• Nicole Sedlacek, Economic Development Manager, Nebraska Public Power District, O’Neill, serving as Economic Development Council Chair
• Joni Sundquist, President and Executive Director, Nebraska Society of Certified Public Accountants, Lincoln, serving as Public Affairs Council Chair
• Dennis Swanson, President, Sandhill Equipment, Inc., Bassett, serving as District Representative
• Taylor Teepell, Director of Public Policy and Governmental Affairs, Lumen, Omaha, serving as District Representative
• Stacy Watson, Tax and Consulting Shareholder, Lutz, Omaha, serving as Taxation Council Chair
• Luke Virgil, Executive Director, Wayne Area Chamber of Commerce, Wayne, serving as Leadership Nebraska Chair

 
“Our board is made up of individuals with a track record of leadership, both in their companies and in their communities, and a passion for the Good Life,” NE Chamber President Bryan Slone said. “We’re fortunate that they are volunteering their time and talent to help keep our businesses competitive and growing.”
 
New board members are nominated by the current board and elected by the broader NE Chamber membership. Board members promote economic growth across the state and establish the association’s policies with input from members and 12 councils.
 
The NE Chamber is the largest, statewide business association, proudly serving its members since 1912. It is where members of the business community gather to help make Nebraska the best place to own, operate and grow a business. Focused on delivering economic and workforce growth and a competitive business climate, members also gain a network of experienced, connected business leaders across the state. Learn more at nechamber.com.

​LINCOLN, Nebraska — The NE Chamber recently announced the recipients of six, $2,000 scholarships named for past Nebraska Business Hall of Fame honorees.
 
2023 scholarship winners include:
 

• Jerry Brito-Mendoza of Omaha, from the University of Nebraska at Omaha, awarded the Moe Beardmore Scholarship;
• Ryann Haburchak of Ewing, from the University of Nebraska at Kearney, awarded the Virgil Eihusen Scholarship;
• Brogan Jones of Allen, from Wayne State College, awarded the Kenneth L. Wortman Scholarship;
• Tommy Pugsley of Omaha, from Creighton University, awarded the Jack Swartz Scholarship;
• Whitney Schwisow of Beatrice, from the University of Nebraska - Lincoln, awarded the Robert & Cynthia Milligan Scholarship; and
• Emalie Wightman of Omaha, from Nebraska Wesleyan University, awarded the Bob Harris Scholarship.

 
Students must be sophomores or juniors in a business-related field, show demonstrated leadership in extracurricular activities, and maintain at least a 3.0 grade point-average to be considered. Since 1997, the NE Chamber Foundation has awarded over $238,000 in scholarships to 119 students across Nebraska.
 
“Nebraska has long been a state with pioneering business leaders, and they are committed to helping pave the way for young, aspiring minds,” NE Chamber President Bryan Slone said. “It’s wonderful to bring these young intellectuals in to connect with the larger business community.”
 
The scholarship winners were recognized at the Nebraska Business Hall of Fame Banquet on February 2 in Lincoln. At the banquet, the following business leaders were inducted into the Nebraska Business Hall of Fame: Dick Tegtmeier of Encore Manufacturing Co. in Beatrice; Tony Messineo of Valentino’s in Lincoln; Mildred Brown of The Omaha Star in Omaha; Ralph and Beverly Holzfaster family in agribusiness/community development in Paxton; and Jim Clifton and Jane Miller of Gallup in Omaha.
 
The NE Chamber is the largest, statewide business and industry association, proudly serving its members since 1912. It is where members of the business community gather to help make Nebraska the best place to own, operate and grow a business. Focused on delivering economic and workforce growth and a competitive business climate, members also gain a network of engaged, connected business leaders across the state. Learn more at nechamber.com.